The Journey from Hair Stylist to Online Educator with Leah Pooni
Release Date: 04/29/2025
From Second-in-Command to CEO: The Shift to Self-Leadership with Olya Grovel
Being a Business Owner
What happens when you stop building for someone else and finally take the leap for yourself? In this episode, I’m joined by Olya Grovel (a growth consultant turned founder) who’s right in the middle of that messy, brave, and transformational journey. After years scaling startups behind the scenes, she’s now building her own AI-powered product and facing all the mindset shifts, habit rewiring, and emotional rollercoasters that come with it. We’re diving into: • The identity shift from being “the right-hand” to calling the shots • Why working for yourself shines a harsh light on...
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How I'm Building a Sustainable Business That Doesn’t Rely on Quick Fixes
Being a Business Owner
Most of us didn’t start our business with a perfect system in place. We figured it out as we went. We Googled the gaps. We made it work. But at a certain point, those short-term fixes start to catch up with you. In this episode, I’m talking about the stage no one prepares you for: when things are working, but still feel way too fragile. When you’re not trying to get clients anymore, but you are trying to stop everything from falling through the cracks. I'll be covering: • What happens when your business grows faster than your systems • Why “it’s fine for now” isn’t fine for...
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The Journey from Hair Stylist to Online Educator with Leah Pooni
Being a Business Owner
Transitioning from a traditional service-based career to the online world isn't without its challenges, but it can lead to incredible opportunities. In this episode, I sit down with Leah, an expert in the hair and beauty industry, to discuss her journey from working as a hair stylist to becoming an online educator. Leah’s story is about more than just making a career change; it’s about evolving and adapting every step of the way. We dive into how she’s embraced ongoing learning, faced the challenges of shifting from a traditional service to an online space, and how setting boundaries has...
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How to Keep Your Business Profitable When Everything Gets More Expensive
Being a Business Owner
Running a business when everything feels more expensive is tough, and if you're feeling the pinch right now...you're not alone. In this episode, we’re pulling back the curtain on what it really looks like to navigate the cost-of-living crisis while building a stronger, more sustainable business behind the scenes. From the challenges of delegation and streamlining systems, to redefining what "work-life balance" actually means, this one's for anyone wondering how to keep their business profitable when costs keep rising. We’ll be diving into: ✅ The operational shifts I’ve made to stop...
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Navigating the Highs and Lows of Freelance Photography with Jon Plimmer
Being a Business Owner
In this episode, I'm joined by photographer and videographer Jon Plimmer to discuss his journey through 17 years in the industry. We delve into the trials and triumphs he has faced, from dealing with unscrupulous client poaching and the complexities of self-employment, to the fulfilling moments that reaffirm his passion for capturing life's special events. Whether you're a budding photographer or a seasoned business owner, Jon's candid insights about the importance of client relationships and adapting to industry changes offer invaluable lessons. Disclaimer - this episode contains some dark...
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The UK Tax Changes Business Owners NEED to Know
Being a Business Owner
Running a business is challenging enough without unexpected changes throwing you off track. In this episode, we’re diving into some major shifts in the tax system and what they mean for business owners. From Making Tax Digital (MTD) to changes in how businesses report income, it’s crucial to stay informed - because what you don’t know can cost you. We’ll be covering: ✅ How Making Tax Digital will change tax reporting (and what you need to do now) ✅ The new rules for reporting income from side hustles ✅ Why business rates and tax debts are getting a government crackdown ✅ A key...
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From Vintage Clothes to Venture Growth with Business Mentor Tom Phillips
Being a Business Owner
Starting a business is just about having a great idea and running with it, right? If only. In this episode, I sit down with Business Mentor and Head of Commercial Development at Welsh ICE, Tom Phillips, to talk about what really goes into building a successful business. From bootstrapping a vintage clothing business at 16 to mentoring startups and scaling social enterprises, Tom’s journey is packed with real talk, hard lessons, and a few home truths every entrepreneur needs to hear. We’ll be talking more about: • The biggest mindset blocks stopping business owners from growing •...
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The Personal Shifts That Come with Growing a Business
Being a Business Owner
Running a business isn’t just about strategy, sales, and scaling - it’s about YOU. As your business evolves, so do you, and that shift can feel both exciting and unsettling. In this episode, I’m getting real about the changes I’ve noticed in myself, how self-reflection (and a little bit of hot yoga) has played a role, and why personal growth can sometimes make others uncomfortable. We’ll be talking more about: • How running a business changes who you are (whether you realise it or not) • The fine line between confidence, directness, and being ‘unpredictable’ • Why...
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From Guesswork to Growth with Business Growth Specialist Cassie Evans
Being a Business Owner
Running an online business is easy, right? Work from your laptop, sip coffee, and rake in the cash? Yeah, right. In this episode, I chat with Business Growth Specialist, Cassie Evans, about the realities of entrepreneurship - the highs, the lows, and the mindset shifts that make all the difference. Cassie shares her journey from Virtual assistant to Business Growth Strategist, the lessons she’s learned along the way, and how she helps business owners move beyond the ‘winging it’ phase and build a business with intention. We’ll be talking more about: • The biggest misconception...
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Messy Middles, Leadership Jitters, and Cracking the UK Tax Code
Being a Business Owner
Ever feel like you’re riding the rollercoaster of business growth while trying to stay true to yourself? Same here! In this episode, I’m opening up about the real behind-the-scenes moments of balancing leadership, personal growth, and building a culture that feels good to everyone involved. I also get a bit spicy as I dive into the UK tax system - why it’s a bit of a mess (to put it lightly) and what we, as business owners, can do about it. If you’ve ever scratched your head over what counts as a business expense, this one’s for you. I’ll be talking more about: • Why building a...
info_outlineTransitioning from a traditional service-based career to the online world isn't without its challenges, but it can lead to incredible opportunities.
In this episode, I sit down with Leah, an expert in the hair and beauty industry, to discuss her journey from working as a hair stylist to becoming an online educator.
Leah’s story is about more than just making a career change; it’s about evolving and adapting every step of the way.
We dive into how she’s embraced ongoing learning, faced the challenges of shifting from a traditional service to an online space, and how setting boundaries has helped her strike a balance between professional growth and personal well-being.
We'll be talking more about:
• Leah's early start in the hair and beauty world and how it shaped her career.
• The big leap from face-to-face client work to launching online courses.
• Why setting boundaries is crucial for business success...and your sanity.
• The importance of never stopping learning, no matter how experienced you are.
• Juggling business growth with family life (the highs, the lows, and everything in between)
• Creating a unique, multicultural hair extension course with a holistic focus.
• Real talk on the toughest days and the biggest wins when running your own business.
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